In human mitochondrial genetics, Haplogroup A is a human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup.

Origin

Haplogroup A is believed to have arisen in Asia some 30,000–50,000 years BC. Its ancestral haplogroup was Haplogroup N. However, the extant diversity of mitochondrial genomes that belong to Haplogroup A is low relative to the degree of divergence from its nearest outgroups in haplogroup N, which suggests that extant members of Haplogroup A might be descended from a population that has emerged from a bottleneck approximately 20,000 years ago.

Its highest frequencies are among Native Americans, its largest overall population is in East Asia, and its greatest variety (which suggests its origin point) is in East Asia. Thus, it might have originated in and spread from the Far East.

Distribution Its subclade A2 shares a T16362C mutation with subclades A1 (found in Japan, Tashkurgan, Veliky Novgorod, Mongols, and Altaians), A6 (found in Tibet and in the Yangtze River basin), A12'23 (found in Siberia and among Uralic and Turkic peoples), A13'14 (found in southern Siberia, Xinjiang, Ladakh, China, Yunnan, Thailand, and Vietnam), A15 (found in China, Naxi, Uyghur, Japan, and among the Sherpa of Tibet and Nepal), A16 (found in Uyghur, Buryat, Turkey), A17 (found in China, Miao, Yi, Tibet, Ladakh, Kyrgyz, Thailand, and Vietnam), A18 (found in China), A19 (found in China), A20 (found among Han Chinese and in Japan), A21 (found in Tibet and in Jammu and Kashmir), A22 (found in China), A24 (found in Beijing and West Bohemia), A25 (found in Japan and Yakutia), and A26 (found in Denmark). A2 is found in Chukotko–Kamchatka and is also one of five mtDNA haplogroups found in the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the others being B, C, D, and X.

Haplogroup A2 is the most common haplogroup among the Inuit, Na-Dene, and many Amerind ethnic groups of North and Central America. Lineages belonging to haplogroup A2 also comprise the majority of the mtDNA pool of the Inuit and their neighbors, the Chukchis, in northeasternmost Siberia.

Other branches of haplogroup A are less frequent but widespread among other populations of Asia. Haplogroup A5 is rather limited to populations from Korea and Japan southward, though it has been detected as singletons in a pair of large samples of Khamnigans (1/99 = 1.0%) and Buryats (1/295 = 0.3%) from the Buryat Republic.

In Asia, A(xA2) is especially frequent in Tibeto-Burman-speaking populations of Southwest China, such as Tibetans (6/65 = 9.2%, 25/216 = 11.6%, 11/73 = 15.1%). Approximately 7% to 15% of Koreans belong to haplogroup A. Approximately 5% to 12% of the Japanese belong to haplogroup A (including A4, A5, and A(xA4, A5)). Approximately 4% to 13% of Mongols belong to haplogroup A, almost all of whom are contained within the A4 subclade (2/47 = 4.3% Mongolians from Ulan Bator in haplogroup A4, 4/48 = 8.3% Mongols from New Barag Left Banner in haplogroup A(xA5), 6/47 = 12.8% Mongolians from Ulan Bator in haplogroup A4). Approximately 3% to 9% of Chinese people belong to haplogroup A. Haplogroup A also has been found in Vietnamese (2/42 = 4.8%, including one A4 and one A5(xA5a)). Approximately 4% (3/71) of Tatars from Aznakayevo, 3% (4/126) of Tatars from Buinsk, and 2% of Turkish people belong to haplogroup A. Haplogroup A4 has been found in 2.4% (2/82) of a sample of Persians from eastern Iran and in 2.3% (1/44) of a sample of Tajiks from Tajikistan. Haplogroup A is not found among Austronesians. In Nepalese population except Sherpa, haplogroup A was mirrored by its clades, A27, A14 and A17, of which A27 was the most abundant clade in Newar (3.99%). Newly defined clade A27 only discerned so far in Newar and Nepali-mix coalesce at ~ 8.4 Kya suggesting their ancient origin and potentially in situ differentiation in Nepal.

Subclades

Tree This phylogenetic tree of haplogroup A subclades is based on the paper by Mannis van Oven and Manfred Kayser Updated comprehensive phylogenetic tree of global human mitochondrial DNA variation and subsequent published research. A A(xA5, A8, A10) — China (Han from Wuhan), Buryat (Inner Mongolia) A+T152C!+T16362C — Uyghur, Korea, Japan, Vietnam (Hmong from Lao Cai Province, Kinh from Hanoi, Cờ Lao) A1 [TMRCA 12,800 (95% CI 6,500 ↔ 22,700) ybp] A1* — Japan, Korea A1a [TMRCA 7,500 (95% CI 4,500 ↔ 11,800) ybp] A1a* — Japan (Aichi), Sarikoli (Tashkurgan), USA, England A1a1 [TMRCA 5,000 (95% CI 2,200 ↔ 9,800) ybp] A1a1* — Buryat, Altai Kizhi A1a1a — Buryat, Mongol (Inner Mongolia) [TMRCA 1,050 (95% CI 75 ↔ 5,500) ybp] A1a2 — Russia (Bashkortostan, Velikij Novgorod), Iran (Turkmen) [TMRCA 1,950 (95% CI 100 ↔ 10,500) ybp] A1a3 — Greece (Ioannina), United States (West Virginia) [TMRCA 1,150 (95% CI 75 ↔ 6,000) ybp] A2 — Ache, Waiwai, Zoro, Surui, Waiapi, Poturujara, Kayapo, Katuena, Guarani, Arsario, Cayapa, Dogrib, ancient Canada, USA (Pennsylvania, California), Mexico (Zapotec), Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina [TMRCA 10,600 (95% CI 9,600 ↔ 11,700) ybp] A2a — Eskimo (Greenland, Chukotka), Chukchi A2a1 — Inuit (Canada), Selkup A2a2 — Eskimo (Chukotka), Chukchi A2a3 — Eskimo (Greenland, Canada, Chukotka), Chukchi A2a4 — USA (New Mexico, Arizona), Mexico (Chihuahua) A2a5 — Apache, USA (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), Canada (Cree, Shuswap) A2b — Chukchi A2b1 — Chukchi, Koryak, Eskimo (Chukotka, Canada, Greenland) A2c A2d — USA (Mexican, Hispanic) A2d1 — USA (Mexican) A2d1a — USA (Hispanic) A2d2 — USA (Hispanic) A2e'ao A2e A2ao A2ao1 A2f A2f1 — Newfoundland A2f1a — Canada, USA (Native American) A2f2 — USA (Mexican, Hispanic), Mexico A2f3 — USA (Mexican, Hispanic) A2g — USA (Mexican, Hispanic), Mexico A2g1 — USA (Mexican, Hispanic), Latin America A2h — Colombia (Cocama of Amazonas, Arhuaco), Yanomama, Kogui A2h1 — USA (Mexican, Hispanic), Mexico, Latin America A2i — USA (Hispanic, etc.), Canada (Ojibwa, Prince Edward Island, Pabos in Quebec) A2j — USA (Hispanic) A2j1 — USA (Hispanic) A2k — USA (Puerto Rico) A2k1 — Ecuador, Wayuu, Mexico A2k1a — Venezuela, Colombia (Pasto of Putumayo), USA (Hispanic) A2l'm'n'o'ai'aj A2l A2m A2n — Canada A2o A2ai A2aj A2p'am A2p A2p1 A2p2 A2am — USA (Puerto Rico, Hispanic), Venezuela. One ancient DNA found in Curaçao, in a Dabajuroid (Caquetio) site dating 1160-1500 CE. A2q A2q1 A2r — USA (Hispanic, Mexican), Cuba A2r1 — Mexico, USA (Mexican) A2s A2t — USA (Mexican) A2u A2u1 A2u2 A2v A2v1 — USA (Mexican, Hispanic), Mexico (La Mixteca) A2v1a — Guatemala, USA (Mexican) A2v1b — Mexico A2v1i — Southwest USA (Indigenous, Mestizo(/a), Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Mexican, Hispanic), Northern Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas) site dating in 600 CE. Modern Generation, there were few individuals found and carried with this haplogroup that is located in the Pacific Northwest. A2w — Colombia (Kogi, Guambiano of Putumayo), Arsario, USA (Mexican, Hispanic) A2w1 — Mexico, Cayman Islands, Guatemala (La Tinta), Panama (Guaymi), Colombia A2x A2y A2z — USA (Hispanic, Puerto Rico) A2aa A2ab - Brazil (PE, MT), Paraguay, Argentina A2ac A2ac1 A2ad A2ad1 A2ad2 A2ae A2af A2af1 A2af1a A2af1a1 A2af1a2 A2af1b A2af1b1 A2af1b1a A2af1b1b A2af1b2 A2af2 A2ag A2ah A2ak A2al A2an A2ap A2aq A6 [TMRCA 12,000 (95% CI 8,600 ↔ 16,100) ybp] A6* — Deng, Korea A6a — China [TMRCA 9,600 (95% CI 5,500 ↔ 15,500) ybp] A6a* — Han Chinese (Wuhan, etc.) A6a1 — Tujia A6b — Tibet [TMRCA 5,000 (95% CI 2,700 ↔ 8,300) ybp] A6b* — Tibet (Chamdo, Ladakh) A6b1 — Tibet (Sherpa) A6c — Tibet (Lhoba, Monpa) A12'23 — Austria, Romania, Poland, Russia, possibly found among Udmurts and Komis A12 — Czech Republic, Germany [TMRCA 11,800 (95% CI 6,500 ↔ 19,700) ybp] A12a — Ireland, UK, New Zealand, USA, Nenets, Selkup [TMRCA 4,700 (95% CI 2,700 ↔ 7,600) ybp] A12a* — Mansi, Yakut (Vilyuy River basin), Kyrgyz (Kyrgyzstan) A12a1 — Kyordyughen Site (Ymyiakhtakh Culture, Yakutia), Hungary (Debrecen) [TMRCA 2,800 (95% CI 1,450 ↔ 4,900) ybp] A12a2 — Evenk (Krasnoyarsk Krai, Stony Tunguska River basin) [TMRCA 1,250 (95% CI 100 ↔ 6,600) ybp] A12b — Buryat, Karos-Eperjesszög (Hungarian conqueror period) [TMRCA 3,000 (95% CI 425 ↔ 10,700) ybp] A23 — Mongol (Inner Mongolia), Buryat, Ket, Qashqai (Iran), ancient Scythian (Chylenski) [TMRCA 6,200 (95% CI 3,300 ↔ 10,600) ybp] A13'14 — Russia (Buryat, Khamnigan), China (Shiyan, Tu, Uyghur, etc.), Ladakh, Thailand, Vietnam (Mang), Korea, Japan, Paraguay (Alto Parana), Ireland A13 A13a — Thailand (Khon Mueang from Chiang Rai Province and Lampang Province), China A13b A13b1 — Uyghur, Taiwan A13b2 — China (Lahu, etc.), Thailand (Red Lahu from Mae Hong Son Province), Vietnam (Phù Lá) A13b2a — China (Naxi), Thailand (Lisu from Mae Hong Son Province) A14 — Russia (Altai Kizhi, etc.), Kyrgyz (Artux), Uyghur, China, Han Chinese (Denver), Taiwan, Thailand (Lawa from Chiang Mai Province, Mon from Lopburi Province), Vietnam (Pa Then) A15 — Uyghur A15a — China (Han in Beijing, Lanzhou, etc.), Tibet (Tingri), Uyghur, Japan A15b — China, Japan (Ehime) A15c — China A15c1 — Naxi, Tibet (Sherpa), Nepal (Sherpa) A16 — Buryat, Uyghur, Turk A17 — China (Han from Beijing, Lanzhou, etc.), Miao, Yi, Tibet (Lhoba, Monpa, Tingri), Ladakh, Kyrgyz (Tashkurgan), Thailand (Lawa from Chiang Mai Province and Mae Hong Son Province, Blang from Chiang Rai Province, Mon from Ratchaburi Province), Vietnam (Phù Lá, Hà Nhì) A18 — Japan, China (Han from Fujian, Han from Beijing, Han from Lanzhou), Romania A19 — China (Han from Beijing, etc.) A20 — Japan, Han Chinese (Denver) A21 — Tibet (Sherpa, Deng, etc.), Jammu and Kashmir A22 — China, Han Chinese (Denver) A24 — China (Han in Beijing), Turkey, Czech Republic (West Bohemia) A25 — Japan (Chiba), China, Yakut (Vilyuy River basin) A26 — Denmark A3 — JapanMtDNA Haplotree at Family Tree DNA (Tokyo, etc.), Korea, USA [TMRCA 6,800 (95% CI 3,200 ↔ 12,600) ybp] A3a — Japan (Aichi, etc.) [TMRCA 4,300 (95% CI 1,400 ↔ 9,800) ybp] A7 [TMRCA 8,800 (95% CI 5,400 ↔ 13,500) ybp] A7* — China A7a — Tibet [TMRCA 7,000 (95% CI 3,900 ↔ 11,700) ybp] A7a* — Lhoba A7a1 — Lhoba A7a2 — Lhoba, Monpa A7b — Japan (Tokyo, etc.) [TMRCA 6,300 (95% CI 2,100 ↔ 14,700) ybp] A9 A11 — Nepal, Korea, Russia [TMRCA 14,500 (95% CI 9,700 ↔ 20,800) ybp] A11a — Tibet (Lhasa, Nyingchi, Tingri, Sherpa, Lhoba, etc.), Ladakh A11b — Tibet (Tingri, Chamdo, etc.), Naxi, Han (Yunnan) A5 — China (incl. Hong Kong), Japan [TMRCA 16,200 (95% CI 11,100 ↔ 22,800) ybp] A5a — Japan (Tokyo, Aichi, etc.), Korea, China [TMRCA 5,500 (95% CI 3,800 ↔ 7,600) ybp] A5a1 — Korea A5a1a — Japan (Tokyo, etc.), Korea A5a1a1 — Japan (Tokyo, Chiba, Aichi, etc.), Korea A5a1a1a — Japan (Tokyo, etc.) A5a1a1b — Japan (Tokyo, Chiba, etc.), Korea A5a1a2 — Japan, Korea A5a1a2a — Japan (Aichi) A5a1b — Japan (Tokyo, Aichi) A5a2 — Japan (Tokyo, Aichi, etc.) A5a3 A5a3* — Korea, USA (African American) A5a3a A5a3a* — Japan (Tokyo) A5a3a1 — Japan (Tokyo, Aichi, etc.) A5a4 — Japan A5a5 — Japan, South Korea (Seoul), Uyghur A5b — China (Tujia, Hui, etc.) [TMRCA 12,800 ybp (95% CI 8,400 ↔ 18,800) ybp] A5b1 — China (Han from Beijing, etc.), Japan, Korea, Uyghur, Thailand, Vietnam (Tay), Singapore [TMRCA 8,600 (95% CI 6,600 ↔ 11,100) ybp] A5b1* — Uyghur A5b1a — Japan (Tokyo, etc.), Korea [TMRCA 6,700 (95% CI 3,700 ↔ 11,300) ybp] A5b1b — China (Han from Fujian, Miao, etc.), Uyghur, Korea [TMRCA 7,300 (95% CI 5,600 ↔ 9,400) ybp] A5b1b* — Han Chinese A5b1b1 A5b1b1* — Miao A5b1b1a — China A5b1b1b — China A5b1b2 — Uyghur A5b1c — Han Chinese (Denver) [TMRCA 7,600 (95% CI 3,100 ↔ 15,500) ybp] A5b1c1 — Taiwan (Hakka, Bunun, Paiwan) [TMRCA 5,400 (95% CI 1,800 ↔ 12,600) ybp] A5b1d [TMRCA 7,300 (95% CI 3,700 ↔ 13,000) ybp] A5b1d* — China A5b1d1 — Siamese (Central Thailand), Tay (Vietnam) A5b2 — China (Tujia, etc.)